Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Spain has deployed the military to the North African enclave of Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed the border from Morocco, overwhelming local authorities. Officials said the surge left the territory’s reception system strained, and at least nine people were reported dead during the crossings.

The crossings mostly happened by swimming or using small boats, and the scenes have revived memories of the 2021 Ceuta crisis, when more than 8,000 people entered the Spanish territory in two days. Ceuta’s regional leader asked Madrid to declare a national emergency and send more police and army units to secure the frontier.

Spanish authorities said the military would support the Civil Guard in restoring order and protecting the border, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska were expected to visit the enclave. The crisis has also renewed debate in Europe over migration, border security and how to respond to sudden mass arrivals.

Spain is treating the influx as both a humanitarian emergency and a security challenge. The next few days will show whether the military deployment is enough to stabilize the border and prevent further deaths.